Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod experiment...

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1752  An inside page has an extremely significant article titled: "A Cut and Description of a Machine, easily constructed, for making the Experiment by which Franklin's new Theory of Thunder is demonstrated" with descriptive text showing how this experiment works. Each piece of the illustration is identified as well. A great and early contemporary piece on Franklin's experiments with electricity.
Near the back is the "Historical Chronicle" with various news reports of the day.
Also included in this issue is a full page print of seashells, as well as a full page print: "Long Meg and Her Daughters, a remarkable ancient fort...". The bird & plant plate is lacking.
Complete in 48 pages with a full title/contents page featuring an engraving of St. John's Gate.  Measures 5 by 8 inches, nice condition.

A very nice pre-Revolutionary War magazine from the "mother country" with a wide range of varied content including news of the day, political reports, literary items, and other unusual tidbits. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.